Heel-clamp.



H. G. SGHMITT.

HEEL CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1911.

1,016,961. Patented Feb. 13, 1912.

Suuentoz 19R" zoom HENRY G. SCHIVIITT, OF ELIVIIRA, NEW YORK.

HEEL-CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1912.

Application filed July 22, 1911. Serial No. 639,878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY G. ScHMrr'r, a resident of Elmira, in thecounty of Chemung and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Heel-Clamps; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to anti slipping heel clamps for use of hunters,engineers, tourists, and the like, when traveling in slippery places.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient deviceof the character indicated which can be readily clamped to and removedfrom an ordinary boot or shoe heel.

The invention consists in the construction hereinafter described andparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the invention and formsapart of the specification ;-Figure 1 is a side elevation, showing thedevice on a heel; Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of the same; Fig. 3 isa bottom plan view; Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line 4, 1 of Fig. 3;Fig. 5 is an elevation of an auxiliary anti slipping means.

The body 1 of the device is stamped from sheet steel or other suitablematerial, and comprises on its upper edge suitably shaped clamping lugsor fingers 2, adapted to bear against the rear edge of a boot or shoeheel. On the lower side of said plate, suitably spaced at the edge, aredownwardly extending lugs 3, which, when the device is in use, form theanti slipping tread of the device. Evidently the number and shape ofthese lugs may be considerably varied without departing from theinvention.

Within the box-like space inclosed or formed by said lugs 3, is mounteda movable clamp member 4. having suitable exterior clamping fingers 5which extend upwardly sufficiently to bear against and clamp the frontedge of the shoe heel.

A crank shaft and crank horizontal in position of use are denoted by 6and a crank handle by 7, these being hinged to plate 1, preferably bytongues 8 integral with plate 1 and bent over the crank axle to formthebearings. The handle 7 is preferably in the form of a bail which extendsfrom the shaft bearing on one side around to the bearing on the otherside whereby it applies power equally to the opposite ends of the crankshaft. The crank extends in the same direction from its bearings as doesthe handle, that is, as shown, toward the rear. The result of thisconstruction of the crank is that pressure on the device during use doesnot tend to throw the handle downward but such pressure on the crankportion cooperates with pressure on the handle to keep the latter closeup to the plate.

The movable clamp member has a hole to receive a screw 9 which extendsthrough an elongated slot 10 in a plate 11, one end of which is securedto the crank. This provides for adjusting the length of the clamp member4 to fit different sized heels. When the device is only designed forheels of one size plate 11 may be omitted and part 41 connected directlyto the crank 6. But it is preferable to retain plate 11. At the innerend of member 4 is a downwardly bent lug 12 adapted to enter slot 10whereby the movable member 4; is located so as to receive the screw 9.Also at the part of the slot 10 corresponding to the normal or preferredadjustment of member 4, the slot may be so formed as to confine the lug12, as by narrowing the slot at 13, whereby accidental slipping ofmember 4 on a loosening of screw 9 is avoided. Instead of the elongatedslot 10 for adjustment, a series of holes, each adapted to receive lug12, may be provided.

Preferably the tread lugs at the front of the plate are notched, asshown at 1 1, to form guide ways for the fingers of the movable clampmember.

The operation of. the crank not only moves the movable clamping fingersto and from the heel but it gives said fingers a slight swingingmovement, the tips of said fingers first being drawn against the heel onits forward side, and further movement of the handle draws said fingersthroughout their length up against the heel, giving an easy and firmclamping action.

Threaded holes are denoted by 15, 15, at suitable points in the platewhereby when it is very icy and the lugs 3 are insufficient to surelyprevent slipping, auxiliary threaded pins 16, a little longer than saidlugs, may

e temporarily inserted.

When handle 7 is in the position shown in Fig. 1 in broken lines thedevice can be placed on a heel; the handle then being pressed up flatagainst the plate draws in on the clamp member 4 and stronglyrclamps thedevice to the heel. When desired the handle can be pulled down and thedevice removed.

When the device is in use the greater part of the weight will be borneby the tread lugs 3. Some pressure will however be put on the describedmechanism within the wall of lugs, but this will not be such as toinjure the same. Indeed it will help hold the handle up though thisnaturally is held by friction. I

Having thus described the invention what I desire to secure by LettersPatent is 1. A removable anti-slipping heel device comprising a sheetmetal heel plate having downwardly extending integral tread lugs, andhaving also upwardly extending fixed clamping lugs at one end,cooperating clamping lugs at the opposite end, the latter lugs beingmovable longitudinally of the plate and also having a slight up and downswinging movement around an-edge of said heel plate, a crank shafthaving horizontal bearings on said plate, a connection between the crankshaft and the movable clamping lugs, and a handle for the shaft swingingin a vertical plane and giving movement to the movable clamping fingers.

2. A removable anti-slipping heel device comprising a heel plate havingdownwardly extending tread lugs and having fixed upwardly extendingclamping lugs at one end, cooperating clamping lugs at the opposite themovable fingers being end, the latter lugs being movable longitudinallyof the plate and also having a slight swinging movement around an edgeof said heel plate, a crank shaft having horizontal bearings on saidplate, a connection between the crank shaft and the movable clampinglugs, and a handle for the shaft swinging in a vertical plane and givingmovement to the movable clamping fingers, guided between and by the lugsat one end of the plate.

3. A removable anti-slipping heel plate comprising tread lugs and fixedclamping lugs, combined with cooperating movable clamping lugs, a crankshaft and crank for moving the latter lugs, and a handle for operatingthe crank shaft, said handle being in the form of a bail and connectedto both ends of the shaft.

4. A heel plate having fixed clamping fingers, movable clamping fingers,a crank shaft in hearings on the plate, a crank, and a handle for movingthe shaft, crank, and movable fingers, said crank and handle extendingon the same sideof the bearings and adapted to swing from and towardsaid plate, as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY G. SCHMITT.

Witnesses:

GEO. S. NESSING, E. G. ORoWELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G.

